U.S. patent application number 16/550981 was filed with the patent office on 2019-12-12 for protective bottle enclosure.
The applicant listed for this patent is Camcal Enterprises, LLC d/b/a Bottlekeeper, Camcal Enterprises, LLC d/b/a Bottlekeeper. Invention is credited to Matthew T. Campbell.
Application Number | 20190375548 16/550981 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68765625 |
Filed Date | 2019-12-12 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190375548 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Campbell; Matthew T. |
December 12, 2019 |
Protective Bottle Enclosure
Abstract
A protective bottle enclosure includes a container having a
neck, a shoulder, and a body, wherein the neck includes a plurality
of threaded portions and a plurality of planar portions located
intermediate the plurality of threaded portions. The enclosure
further includes a removable cap from which extends a first
threaded portion and a second threaded portion, the first and
second threaded portions being located along opposing sides of the
sidewall, and a first planar portion and a second planar portion
disposed adjacent and between the first and second threaded
portions. The first and second threaded portions of the cap are
aligned with the plurality of planar portions along the neck when
the cap is axially inserted into the container.
Inventors: |
Campbell; Matthew T.; (Cave
Creek, AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Camcal Enterprises, LLC d/b/a Bottlekeeper |
Phoenix |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
68765625 |
Appl. No.: |
16/550981 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16154550 |
Oct 8, 2018 |
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16550981 |
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15584013 |
May 1, 2017 |
10118735 |
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16154550 |
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15362540 |
Nov 28, 2016 |
9637270 |
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15584013 |
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14153688 |
Jan 13, 2014 |
9505527 |
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15362540 |
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61752404 |
Jan 14, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3876 20130101;
B65D 81/3879 20130101; B65D 23/0885 20130101; A45F 3/16 20130101;
A47G 23/0241 20130101; B65D 41/04 20130101; B65D 41/0414 20130101;
B65D 81/02 20130101; H05K 999/99 20130101; B65D 81/3886 20130101;
B65D 1/0246 20130101; A47G 23/02 20130101; B65D 43/0225 20130101;
B65D 81/025 20130101; B65D 1/0261 20130101; B65D 81/3888 20130101;
B65D 25/24 20130101; A45C 2200/20 20130101; A47G 19/2205
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 23/08 20060101
B65D023/08; B65D 43/02 20060101 B65D043/02; B65D 41/04 20060101
B65D041/04; B65D 1/02 20060101 B65D001/02; A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22; A47G 23/02 20060101 A47G023/02; B65D 81/38 20060101
B65D081/38; B65D 81/02 20060101 B65D081/02 |
Claims
1. A protective bottle enclosure, comprising: a container
comprising an upper portion and a base configured to be removably
coupled to the upper portion, the upper portion extending from an
annular lip at a first end through a neck, a shoulder, and a body
to a bottom section including a bottom opening at a second end
opposite the first end, wherein the annular lip defines a top
opening to the interior cavity of the upper portion, and wherein
the neck includes a plurality of threaded portions and a plurality
of planar portions located intermediate the plurality of threaded
portions; and a removable cap including a sidewall from which
extends a first threaded portion and a second threaded portion, the
first and second threaded portions being located along opposing
sides of the sidewall, and a first slot and a second slot disposed
adjacent and between the first and second threaded portions,
wherein the first and second slots of the cap are axially aligned
with the plurality of threaded portions of the neck when the cap is
inserted into the neck of the container.
2. The protective bottle enclosure of claim 1, wherein the first
and second threaded portions of the cap are integrally molded with
the sidewall of the cap.
3. The protective bottle enclosure of claim 1, wherein the first
and second slots are disposed along opposing ends of the cap.
4. The protective bottle enclosure of claim 1, wherein the neck
includes at least two planar portions and at least two threaded
portions.
5. The protective bottle enclosure of claim 1 further comprising an
elastomeric insert inside of the body.
6. The protective bottle enclosure of claim 5, wherein the
elastomeric insert is a cylindrical sleeve that is fixedly coupled
with an inner surface of the body.
7. The protective bottle enclosure of claim 1, wherein the
removable cap includes a stopper having a truncated conical frustum
that tapers in diameter away from the cap.
8. The protective bottle enclosure of claim 1, wherein the base is
threadably coupled with the second end of the upper portion.
9. A protective bottle enclosure, comprising: a container
comprising: an upper portion that extends from an annular lip at an
upper end through a neck, a shoulder, and a body to a bottom
section including a bottom opening at a lower end, wherein the neck
includes at least one threaded portion and at least one planar
portion; and a base configured to be removably coupled to the upper
portion, the base having a bottom surface and a sidewall extending
from the bottom surface, the base being removably coupled with the
second end of the body; and a removable cap including a sidewall
from which extends a first cap threaded portion and a first cap
planar portion disposed adjacent the first cap threaded portion,
wherein the cap can be axially inserted into the neck until a
stopper engages with a mouth of a bottle that is disposed within
the container, and wherein the cap is in a fully sealed
configuration upon rotation of the cap by less than 180 degrees
once the stopper has engaged with the mouth.
10. The protective bottle enclosure of claim 9 further comprising a
second cap threaded portion and a second cap planar portion along
the removable cap, wherein the at least one threaded portion
includes a plurality of threaded portions and the at least one
planar portion includes a plurality of planar portions, and wherein
the first and second cap threaded portions are capable of insertion
into the neck when aligned with the plurality of planar
portions.
11. The protective bottle enclosure of claim 10, wherein the
plurality of planar portions are disposed along opposing ends of
the neck.
12. The protective bottle enclosure of claim 9, wherein the neck
includes at least two planar portions and the cap includes at least
two cap threaded portions.
13. The protective bottle enclosure of claim 9 further comprising
an elastomeric insert inside of the body.
14. The protective bottle enclosure of claim 13, wherein the at
least one planar portion has a surface that is planar and
uninterrupted.
15. The protective bottle enclosure of claim 9, wherein the cap is
in the fully seated configuration upon rotation of the cap by less
than 120 degrees once the stopper has engaged with the mouth.
16. A cap for a protective bottle enclosure, comprising: a knob
that is formed with a tab that can be gripped and rotated; a collar
depending from the knob opposite the tab and being defined by a
sidewall, a first threaded portion that extends outwardly from the
sidewall; a second threaded portion that extends outwardly from the
sidewall; a first planar portion of the sidewall disposed between
the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion, and a
second planar portion of the sidewall disposed between the first
threaded portion and the second threaded portion.
17. The cap of claim 16, wherein the sidewall of the collar defines
an interior cavity.
18. The cap of claim 17 further comprising a stopper mechanism that
is disposed within the interior cavity.
19. The cap of claim 16, wherein the knob, the collar, the first
threaded portion, and the second threaded portion are unitary and
formed of the same material.
20. The cap of claim 16, wherein the cap is capable of being
inserted axially into a neck of a container and is further capable
of sealing the container by rotating the cap less than 180 degrees.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 16/154,550, filed on Oct. 8, 2018, and
entitled "Protective Bottle Enclosure," which is a continuation of
U.S. application Ser. No. 15/584,013, filed on May 1, 2017,
entitled "Protective Bottle Enclosure," and issued as U.S. Pat. No.
10,118,735 on Nov. 6, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 15/362,540, filed on Nov. 28, 2016, entitled
"Protective Bottle Enclosure," and issued as U.S. Pat. No.
9,637,270 on May 2, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/153,688, filed on Jan. 13, 2014, entitled
"Protective Bottle Enclosure," and issued as U.S. Pat. No.
9,505,527 on Nov. 29, 2016, which claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/752,404, filed on Jan. 14,
2013, and entitled "Protective Bottle Enclosure", all of which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and are
to be considered a part of this specification.
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Disclosure
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to food and
beverages, and more particularly to containers for holding
beverages and beverage bottles.
2. Description of the Background of the Disclosure
[0003] Many people like to drink beverages while on the go.
Beverages are often carried by people for different reasons and to
different places, such as to the beach, to the office, in the car,
on a boat, at the golf course, at the shopping mall, and other
similar places. Once opened, however, a bottle can spill contents,
wasting the beverage and creating a mess. Further, for some
beverages, once the bottle is opened, the beverage contained
therein will lose its freshness or effervescence as gases in the
beverage leave the beverage and escape the bottle. Some bottles
have caps or lids designed to be re-applied to an open bottle top
so as to close the bottle and prevent spills. However, many
bottles, such as glass bottles, do not have caps or lids that can
be re-applied. Instead, the beverages in these bottles must
generally consumed in one sitting, or the drinker must drink some
of the beverage immediately after opening and then the rest at a
later time, sacrificing the freshness or effervescence when
finishing the beverage. Further, most beverages, if consumed over a
period of time, will gradually equalize with the ambient
temperature of the environment, which can be undesirable if the
beverage was meant to be consumed very hot or very cold. An
improved device for carrying a beverage is needed.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to one aspect, a protective bottle enclosure
including a container comprising an upper portion and a base
configured to be removably coupled to the upper portion. The upper
portion extends from an annular lip at a first end through a neck,
a shoulder, and a body to a bottom section including a bottom
opening at a second end opposite the first end. The annular lip
defines a top opening to the interior cavity of the upper portion,
and the neck includes a plurality of threaded portions and a
plurality of planar portions located intermediate the plurality of
threaded portions. The enclosure further includes a removable cap
including a sidewall from which extends a first threaded portion
and a second threaded portion. The first and second threaded
portions are located along opposing sides of the sidewall, and a
first slot and a second slot are disposed adjacent and between the
first and second threaded portions. The first and second slots of
the cap are axially aligned with the plurality of threaded portions
of the neck when the cap is inserted into the neck of the
container.
[0005] According to another aspect, a protective bottle enclosure
includes a container comprising an upper portion that extends from
an annular lip at an upper end through a neck, a shoulder, and a
body to a bottom section including a bottom opening at a lower end.
The neck includes at least one threaded portion and at least one
planar portion. The enclosure further includes a base configured to
be removably coupled to the upper portion, the base having a bottom
surface and a sidewall extending from the bottom surface, the base
being removably coupled with the second end of the body, and a
removable cap including a sidewall from which extends a first cap
threaded portion and a first cap planar portion disposed adjacent
the first cap threaded portion. The cap can be axially inserted
into the neck until a stopper engages with a mouth of a bottle that
is disposed within the container, and the cap is in a fully sealed
configuration upon rotation of the cap by less than 180 degrees
once the stopper has engaged with the mouth.
[0006] According to still another aspect, a cap for a protective
bottle enclosure, includes a knob that is formed with a tab that
can be gripped and rotated, a collar depending from the knob
opposite the tab and being defined by a sidewall, a first threaded
portion that extends outwardly from the sidewall, a second threaded
portion that extends outwardly from the sidewall, a first planar
portion of the sidewall disposed between the first threaded portion
and the second threaded portion, and a second planar portion of the
sidewall disposed between the first threaded portion and the second
threaded portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a protective bottle
enclosure constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle
of the disclosure, including a container having an upper portion, a
base applied to the upper portion, and a cap applied to the upper
portion;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the
protective bottle enclosure of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a section view of the protective bottle enclosure
of FIG. 1 taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIGS. 4A-4C are section views of three embodiments of caps
taken along similar lines as FIG. 3;
[0011] FIG. 5A is an exploded front perspective view of another
protective bottle enclosure having a modified cap and neck in
accordance with the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 5B is an exploded front perspective view of yet another
protective bottle enclosure having a modified cap and neck;
[0013] FIG. 5C is an exploded front perspective view of still
another protective bottle enclosure having a modified cap and
neck;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the bottle enclosure
of FIG. 5A in a closed state;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the bottle enclosure of
FIG. 5A in the closed state;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a section view of the protective bottle enclosure
taken through line 8-8 of FIG. 6;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a section view of the protective bottle enclosure
taken through line 9-9 of FIG. 7;
[0018] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the modified cap of the
protective bottle enclosure of FIG. 5A;
[0019] FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the modified cap of the
protective bottle enclosure of FIG. 5B;
[0020] FIG. 11A is a front elevational view of the cap of FIG.
10A;
[0021] FIG. 11B is a front elevational view of the cap of FIG.
10B;
[0022] FIG. 12A is a side elevational view of the cap of FIG.
10A;
[0023] FIG. 12B is a side elevational view of the cap of FIG.
10B;
[0024] FIG. 13A is a bottom plan view of the cap of FIG. 10A;
[0025] FIG. 13B is a bottom plan view of the cap of FIG. 10B;
[0026] FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the protective bottle
enclosure of FIG. 5A in a first or open state, before the modified
cap is inserted into a neck of the enclosure;
[0027] FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the enclosure of FIG. 14
taken through line 15-15 of FIG. 7;
[0028] FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the protective bottle
enclosure of FIG. 5A in a second or partially inserted state, while
the modified cap is being inserted into the neck of the
enclosure;
[0029] FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the enclosure of FIG. 16
taken through line 17-17 of FIG. 7;
[0030] FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the protective bottle
enclosure of FIG. 5A in a third or closed state, after the modified
cap has been inserted into the neck of the enclosure and rotated 90
degrees; and
[0031] FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the enclosure of FIG. 18
taken through line 19-19 of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Reference is now made to the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a
protective bottle enclosure 10 constructed and arranged according
to the principle of the disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates the same
enclosure 10 in an exploded view. The enclosure 10 is useful for
containing, concealing, and insulating a bottle applied to the
enclosure in such a way that a beverage from the bottle can be
consumed while the bottle is protected within the enclosure 10. The
enclosure 10 includes a container 11 and a cap 12 removably applied
to the container 11. The container 11 is preferably constructed
from a material or materials having material characteristics of
strength and rigidity, such as metal or plastic. The container 11
is preferably a two-piece unit having a main upper portion 13 and a
base 14 removably applied to the upper portion 13. The upper
portion 13 and base 14 cooperate to define a generally cylindrical
interior 15 (indicated in FIG. 2) which receives the beverage
bottle that the enclosure 10 protects. The upper portion 13 and
base 14 are preferably extruded or rolled from thin-walled aluminum
or the like.
[0033] The upper portion 13 is formed from a continuous thin
sidewall 20 having opposed inner and outer surfaces 21 and 22 which
are parallel to each other and set just slightly apart, defining a
very thin thickness of the sidewall 20. The upper portion 13 of the
container 11 defines a majority of the container 11 and has a body
23 extending from a bottom 24 to a shoulder 25 of the container 11.
The shoulder 25 is an annular narrowing of the container 11 which
tapers from the body 23 to a neck 30 of the container 11. The neck
30 extends upward to a finish 31 which terminates in an annular lip
32. The body 23 of the upper portion has a constant diameter D from
just above the bottom 24 to the just below the shoulder 25. The
neck has a diameter E which is less than the diameter D of the body
23, since the shoulder 25 between the body 23 and the neck 30
tapers in diameter between the two. The lip 32 flares outward
slightly from the diameter E of the neck 30.
[0034] The base 14 is removable from the upper portion 13 so that a
bottle may be introduced into the interior 15 and carried therein.
Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 14 has a flat bottom 34
and an upstanding, annular sidewall 35 extending upward from the
bottom 34 and terminating in an open top 36. To releasably couple
the base 14 to the upper portion 13, a fastening assembly is
carried between the upper portion 13 and the base 14. At the bottom
24 of the body 23, the upper portion 13 of the container 11 has a
reduced diameter and is formed with external threads 40.
Complemental internal threads are carried on the sidewall 35 of the
base 14. Though not visible in FIGS. 1 and 2, the internal threads
are visible in FIG. 3 and are identified there with the reference
number 41. The two sets of threads 40 and 41 threadably engage the
base 14 to the upper portion 13 of the container 11 and allow the
base 14 to be quickly and easily removed from the upper portion 13.
By aligning the threads 40 and 41 and rotating the base 14 with
respect to the upper portion 13 in a clockwise direction, the base
14 is secured to the upper portion 13. Conversely, by rotating the
base 14 in a counter-clockwise direction with respect to the upper
portion 13 and retracting the base 14 away from the upper portion
13, the base 14 is removed from the upper portion 13, and the
bottom 24 of the upper portion 13 is open, defining an entrance
available to apply a bottle there through into the interior 15 of
the container 11. One having ordinary skill in the art will readily
appreciate that the relative direction of the threads 40 and 41 may
be reversed so that the direction of rotation of the base 14 with
respect to the upper portion 13 would be correspondingly reversed
to apply and remove the base 14 from the upper portion 13. One
having ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that another
suitable fastening mechanism may be used to removably engage the
base 14 to the upper portion 13.
[0035] Turning briefly to FIG. 3, a bottle 100 has been applied to
the interior 15 of the container 11. The bottle 100 is shown in
ghost form, or in broken line, in FIG. 3, which is a section view
taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1. The container 11 has rotational
symmetry about a vertical axis extending through the interior 15
along a geometric center of the container 11. The bottle 100 is
applied to the enclosure 10, and has a body 101, a bottom 102, a
shoulder 103, and a long neck 104 terminating in an open mouth 106
at a top 105 of the bottle 100. The mouth 105 of the bottle 100 has
an internal diameter M. The bottle 100 has been, and is preferably,
inserted into the enclosure 10 with the mouth 105 open so that the
cap 12 seals the mouth 106 when the cap 12 is fully applied and
seated to the container 11.
[0036] Referring now back to FIG. 2 primarily, the cap 12 is
removably applied to the container 11 to seal the container 11. The
neck 30 of the upper portion 13 of the container 11 carries threads
42 which are formed integrally in the neck 30 and extend both
inwardly and outwardly. The threads 42 allow the cap 12 to be
threadably engaged to the container 11 to secure and release the
cap 12 on the container. Three cap embodiments are shown in FIGS.
4A-4C and are identified as the caps 12, 12', and 12'',
respectively. Discussion of the cap 12 in FIG. 4A will be made
first, and then, turning to FIGS. 4B and 4C, the discussion will be
of the caps 12' and 12'' and the various structural elements and
features which are different from the cap 12. Discussion of
structural elements and features which are identical in the caps
12, 12', and 12'' will not be repeated in the description of the
caps 12' and 12''.
[0037] FIG. 4A illustrates an enlarged section view of the cap 12
taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1. The cap 12 consists of a knob
50 formed with a tab or extension 51 providing a contact surface to
be gripped and rotated, and a collar 52 depending from the knob 50
opposite the extension 51. The collar 52 is a thin cylindrical
sleeve which extends downward from the knob 50 and carries external
threads 53. The threads 53 extend radially outward from the collar
52. The threads 53 of the cap 12 threadably engage with the
internal threads 42 formed in the neck 30 of the upper portion 13,
so that the cap 12 is applied and engaged to the upper portion 13
by aligning the threads 53 and 42 and rotating the cap 12 clockwise
relative to the upper portion 13, and the cap 12 is retracted and
disengaged from the upper portion 13 by rotating the cap 12
counterclockwise relative to the upper portion 13. One having
ordinary skill in the art will understand that the relative
direction of the threads 42 and 53 may be reversed and that the
direction of rotation of the cap 12 relative to the upper portion
13 would be correspondingly reversed to apply and remove the cap
12. The cap has a cuff 54 disposed between the extension 51 and the
collar 52 extending radially outward from an underside 58 of the
extension 51 and defining a lower portion of the extension 51. The
cuff 54 is a cylindrical sidewall having an inner surface 55
cooperating with the collar 52 to bound an internal, generally
cylindrical volume 56 with an opening 57 located opposite the
extension 51.
[0038] Still referring to FIG. 4A, the cap 12A has a sealing
structure to seal the mouth 105 of the bottle 100 while housed in
the container 11. The cap 12 has a stopper 60 with a body 61 which
is an inverted truncated conical frustum that tapers in diameter
away from the cap 12. The body 61 has a top 62 and an opposed
bottom 63 with a diameter G, and the diameter G at the bottom 63 is
smaller than the diameter at the top 62 of the body 61. The top 62
of the body 61 is applied to the underside 58 of the knob 50. The
body 61 is constructed from a material or combination of materials
having material characteristics of resiliency, elasticity, and
shape memory, such as rubber, so that the body 61 of the stopper 60
can be compressed radially under pressure and return to its
original shape when the compression is removed. The body 61 of the
stopper 60 extends within the cylindrical volume 56 as far as the
cuff 54, and an annular volume 54 in communication with the
cylindrical volume 55 is defined between the body 51 of the stopper
50 and the inner surface 55 of the cuff 54 which encircles the
stopper 50 within the cap 12.
[0039] An annular flange 65 is formed on the body 51 of the stopper
50. The flange 65 is a ring formed monolithically and integrally to
the body 61, and the flange extends continuously around the body 61
parallel to the top 62 and bottom of the stopper 60. The body 61
has a diameter F just under the flange 65, and the flange 65 has a
diameter H, which is larger than the diameter F and the diameter G
of the bottom 63 of the body 61 of the stopper 60. The diameter H
of the flange 65 is greater than the diameter M of the mouth 105 of
the bottle 100, and the diameter M of the mouth 105 is larger than
the diameter G of the bottom 63 of the stopper 50 but just smaller
than the diameter F of the stopper 50. The flange 55 is constructed
from a material having a rigid material characteristics, such as
plastic. The flange 65 is formed on the body 61 at a generally
intermediate location with respect to the top 52 and bottom 63.
[0040] Turning now to FIG. 4B, the cap 12' is shown. As explained
above, the cap 12' shares various structural elements and features
in common with the cap 12, and as such, those structural elements
and features will not be described here. Those structural elements
and features are identified in the discussion of the cap 12' with
the same reference characters as above, and the discussion below is
directed toward the differences of cap 12'. The cap 12' has a knob
50, extension 51, collar 52, threads 53, cuff 54, inner surface 55,
cylindrical volume 56, opening 57, and underside 58, but the cap
12' presents an alternate stopper 70.
[0041] The stopper 70 has a body 71 which is an inverted truncated
conical frustum that tapers in diameter away from the cap 12'. The
body 71 has a top 72 and an opposed bottom 73 with respective
diameters F' and G', and the diameter G' at the bottom 73 is
smaller than the diameter F' at the top 72 of the body 71. The top
72 of the body 71 is applied to the underside 58 of the knob 50.
The body 71 is constructed from a material or combination of
materials having material characteristics of resiliency,
elasticity, and shape memory, such as rubber, so that the body 71
of the stopper 70 can constrict and be compressed radially under
pressure and return to its original shape when the compression is
removed. The body 71 of the stopper 70 extends within the
cylindrical volume 56 as far as the cuff 54, and the annular volume
64 in communication with the cylindrical volume 56 is defined
between the body 71 of the stopper 70 and the inner surface 55 of
the cuff 54 which encircles the stopper 70 within the cap 12. The
diameter M of the mouth 105 of the bottle 100 is larger than the
diameter G' of the bottom 73 of the stopper 70 but is smaller than
the diameter F' of the top 62 of the bottle 100. In this way, when
the cap 12' is applied to and seated on the container 11, the mouth
105 encircles and constricts the stopper 60 between the top 62 and
bottom 63.
[0042] Turning now to FIG. 4C, the cap 12'' is shown. Again, as
explained above, the cap 12'' shares various structural elements
and features in common with the cap 12, and as such, those
structural elements and features will not be described here. Those
structural elements and features are identified in the discussion
of the cap 12'' with the same reference characters as above, and
the discussion below is directed toward the differences of cap
12''. The cap 12'' has a knob 50, extension 51, collar 52, threads
53, cuff 54, inner surface 55, cylindrical volume 56, opening 57,
and underside 58, but the cap 12' presents an alternate stopper
80.
[0043] The stopper 80 of the cap 12'' is a pad 81 carried on the
underside 58 of the knob 50. The pad 81 includes an upper surface
82, an opposed lower surface 83, and a compressible middle layer 84
between the upper and lower surfaces 82 and 83. The upper surface
82 is permanently applied, such as with an adhesive, to the
underside 58 of the knob 50 and extends across the underside 58
encircled by the inner surface 55 of the cuff 55. The pad 81 has a
diameter I, which is greater than the diameter M of the mouth 105
of the bottle 100. The pad 81 is constructed from a material or
combination of materials having compressible, elastic, resilient,
and durable material characteristics, such as elastomeric rubber
and the like.
[0044] The caps 12, 12', and 12'' each seal the open bottle 100 and
the container 11 when used as part of the enclosure 10. The bottle
100 is held within the enclosure 10 by the cap and by elastomeric
padding or forms within the container 11. The elastomeric forms are
applied to the upper portion 13 and the base 14 to provide
insulation to the bottle 100, to provide impact protection to the
bottle 100, and to hold the bottle 100 securely, both while the
bottle 100 is enclosed by the enclosure 10 and while the bottle is
tipped and being drunk from. With reference back to FIG. 3, the
upper portion 13 has an upper form 90 with an outer surface 91
applied, such as with an adhesive, to the inner surface 21 of the
container 11 and an inner surface 92 extending into the interior 15
of the enclosure 10. The upper form 90 has a generally cylindrical
shape extending from the bottom 24 of the upper portion 13 to the
shoulder 25. The upper form 90 is constructed from a material or
combination of materials having material characteristics of
compressibility, durability, resiliency, and shape memory, and
which is a good insulator. The base 14 has a base pad 93 with an
upper surface 94 and an opposed lower surface 95 applied, such as
with an adhesive, to the bottom 34 of the base 14. The base form 93
is disc shaped and extends along the bottom 34 of the base 14. The
sidewall of the base 14 is uncovered in the interior 15. Like the
upper form 90, the base form 93 is constructed from a material or
combination of materials having the material characteristics of
compressibility, durability, resiliency, and shape memory, and
which is a good insulator. The upper and base forms 90 and 93
securely position and hold the bottle 100 in place within the
container and provide insulation to keep the beverage in the bottle
100 hot or cold.
[0045] In operation, the enclosure 10 is useful for protecting,
insulating, and concealing the bottle 100 within the enclosure 10.
To apply the bottle 100 to the enclosure 10, the base 14 is
decoupled from the upper portion 13 by rotating the base 14
relative to the upper portion 13 while retracting the base 14 and
then withdrawing the base 14 from the upper portion 13, exposing
the open bottom 24 of the upper portion 13 and the hold 90 ready to
receive the bottle 100. The bottle 100 is held, such as by hand,
and inserted into the interior 15 with the mouth 105 of the bottle
100 introduced first into the interior 15. The bottle 100 is
applied to and inserted into the interior 15 until the mouth 105 of
the bottle 100 is disposed just below the lip 32 on the finish 31
of the upper portion 13. As the bottle 100 is applied into the
interior 15, the bottle 100 radially compresses the upper form 90
against the sidewall 20 of the upper portion 13. As shown in FIG.
3, above the shoulder 103 of the bottle 100, the upper form 90 is
uncompressed and has a normal thickness, while along the body 101
of the bottle 100, the upper form 90 is compressed and has a
reduced thickness. The bottle 100 is thus held in a friction fit
arrangement by the upper form 100 which limits vertical movement in
and out of the upper form 13.
[0046] Once the bottle 100 is placed into the upper portion 13, the
base 14 is coupled to the upper portion 13. The base 14 is aligned
with the upper portion 13 and moved toward and over the bottom 24
of the upper portion 13 while rotating the base 14 with respect to
the upper portion 13 so as to threadably engage the base 14 onto
the upper portion 13. The base 14 is rotated completely until the
base 14 is firmly seated on the upper portion 13 and the top 36 of
the base 14 is against the bottom 24 of the upper portion 13,
sealing the base 14 on the upper portion 13 and forming the
container 11. If, before coupling the base 14 to the upper portion
13, the bottle 100 had not been fully applied to the upper portion
13, then when the base 14 is seated to the upper portion 13, the
base 14 will advance the bottle 100 further into the upper portion
13 to a preferred location in the interior 15. If the bottle 100
had been applied too far into the interior 15, then application of
the cap 12 to the upper portion 13 will re-position the bottle 100
in the opposite direction. Any of the caps 12, 12', and 12'' may be
applied and seated on the upper portion 13. Seating any of the caps
12, 12', and 12'' on the container 12 forms seals between the
bottle 100 and the cap 12 and between the container 11 and the cap
12. Application of each will now be discussed.
[0047] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4A show the cap 12 fully seated on the upper
portion 13 in a seated position of the cap 12, sealing the open
mouth 105 of the bottle 100. To apply the cap 12 to the container
11 with the bottle 100 held in the container 11, the cap 12 is free
of the container 11 and is aligned with the neck 30 and finish 31
of the container 11 in a free condition of the cap 12. The threads
53 on the cap 12 are directed downwardly toward the threads 42 on
the neck 30 of the container 11. The cap 12 is then rotated onto
the neck 30, threadably engaging the threads 53 on the cap 12 with
the threads 42 formed in the neck 30 of the container 11 to move
the cap 12 into an applied condition on the container 11. As the
cap 12 is threaded onto the container 11, the cap 12 is applied to
the container 11, and the bottom 63 of the stopper 60 moves into
the mouth 105 of the bottle 100. The bottom 63 of the stopper 60
has a diameter G which is less than the diameter M of the mouth
105, so that the mouth 105 begins to receive the stopper 60. As the
cap 12 is further threaded onto the container 11, the stopper 60
advances further into bottle 100, filling a greater portion of the
diameter M of the mouth 105.
[0048] In this applied condition of the cap 12, the cap 12 forms a
fluid-permeable seal with the container 11. As the cap 12 is still
further threaded onto the container 11, however, the stopper 60
fills the entire mouth 105 of the bottle 100, and begins to be
compressed and constricted radially by the mouth 105. The cap 12
continues to be advanced until the top 106 of the bottle 100
encounters the flange 65 on the stopper 60, at which point the cuff
54 of the cap 12 fully seats against the lip 32 of the upper
portion 13 of the container 11. The diameter F of the body 61 of
the stopper 60 just below the flange 65 is just greater than the
diameter M of the mouth 105, and the diameter H of the flange 65 is
greater than the diameter M of the mouth 105, so that the mouth 105
is received against an inward shoulder 99 formed by the body 61 of
the stopper 60 and the flange 65, defining a seated condition of
the cap 12. In this seated condition, the stopper 60 forms a
fluid-impervious seal 96 with the mouth 105 of the bottle 100, so
that the beverage in the bottle 100 cannot leave the bottle 100 and
enter the interior 15. Further, the cuff 54 of the cap 12 fully
seated against the lip 32 of the container and forms a
fluid-impervious seal 97 with the container 11. This seal 97
prevents any moisture in the interior 15 from exiting the interior
15 and also prevents any fluids outside of the enclosure 10 from
entering the interior 15. The seal 96 is considered an inner seal,
and the seal 97 is considered an outer seal spaced apart from the
inner seal, so that the enclosure 10 has a unique double-seal
construction which is formed when the cap 12 is in the seated
condition on the container 11.
[0049] Alternately, the bottle 100 and container 11 can be sealed
by the cap 12'. FIG. 4B shows the cap 12' fully seated on and
sealing the open mouth 105 of the bottle 100. FIG. 4B does not show
the container 11, as one having ordinary skill in the art will
understand how the cap 12' seats on the container 11, given the
above description of the cap 12 and the container 11, and given the
below description. To apply the cap 12' to the container 11 with
the bottle 100 held in the container 11, the cap 12' is free of the
container 11 and is aligned with the neck 30 and finish 31 of the
container 11 in a free condition of the cap 12'. The threads 53 on
the cap 12' are directed downwardly toward the threads 42 on the
neck 30 of the container 11. The cap 12' is then rotated onto the
neck 30, threadably engaging the threads 53 on the cap 12' with the
threads 42 formed in the neck 30 of the container 11 to move the
cap 12' into an applied condition on the container 11. As the cap
12' is threaded onto the container 11, the cap 12' is applied to
the container 11, and the bottom 73 of the stopper 70 moves into
the mouth 105 of the bottle 100.
[0050] The bottom 73 of the stopper 70 has a diameter G' which is
less than the diameter M of the mouth 105, so that the mouth 105
begins to receive the stopper 70. As the cap 12' is further
threaded onto the container 11, the stopper 70 advances further
into bottle 100, filling a greater portion of the diameter M of the
mouth 105. In this applied condition of the cap 12', the cap 12'
only yet forms a fluid-permeable seal with the container 11. As the
cap 12' is still further threaded onto the container 11, however,
the stopper 70 fills the entire mouth 105 of the bottle 100, and
begins to be compressed and constricted radially by the mouth 105.
The cap 12' continues to be advanced until the top 106 of the
bottle 100 binds on the body 71 of the stopper 70, at which point
the cuff 54 of the cap 12' also fully seats against the lip 32 of
the upper portion 13 of the container 11. The diameter of the body
71 of the stopper 70 encircled by the mouth 105 is just less than
the diameter M of the mouth 105, defining a seated condition of the
cap 12 on the container 11. In this seated condition, the stopper
70 forms a fluid-impervious seal 95' with the mouth 105 of the
bottle 100, so that the beverage in the bottle 100 cannot leave the
bottle 100 and enter the interior 15. This seal 96 is considered an
inner seal. Further, the cuff 54 of the cap 12' fully seated
against the lip 32 of the container and forms a fluid-impervious
seal with the container 11. This seal is considered an outer seal,
and it prevents any moisture in the interior 15 from exiting the
interior 15 and also prevents any fluids outside of the enclosure
10 from entering the interior 15. The enclosure 10 has this unique
double-seal construction which is formed when the cap 12' is in the
seated condition on the container 11.
[0051] Alternately, the bottle 100 and container 11 can be sealed
by the cap 12''. FIG. 4C shows the cap 12'' fully seated on and
sealing the open mouth 105 of the bottle 100. FIG. 4C does not show
the container 11, as one having ordinary skill in the art will
understand how the cap 12'' seats on the container 11, given the
above description of the cap 12 and the container 11, and given the
below description. To apply the cap 12' to the container 11 with
the bottle 100 held in the container 11, the cap 12' is free of the
container 11 and is aligned with the neck 30 and finish 31 of the
container 11 in a free condition of the cap 12''. The threads 53 on
the cap 12'' are directed downwardly toward the threads 42 on the
neck 30 of the container 11. The cap 12'' is then rotated onto the
neck 30, threadably engaging the threads 53 on the cap 12'' with
the threads 42 formed in the neck 30 of the container 11 to move
the cap 12'' into an applied condition on the container 11. As the
cap 12'' is threaded onto the container 11, the cap 12'' is applied
to the container 11, the mouth 105 of the bottle 100 contacts the
lower surface 83 of the pad 81 of the stopper 80.
[0052] As the cap 12'' is still further threaded onto the container
11, the mouth 105 of the bottle 100 advances into the pad 81,
deflecting the lower surface 83 and compressing the middle layer 84
toward the upper surface 82. The pad 81 continues to be compressed
by the mouth 105 until the cap 12'' is fully threaded onto the
container 11, seating the cuff 54 of the cap 12'' against the lip
32 of the container 11 in a seated condition of the cap 12''. In
the seated condition of the cap 12'', a fluid-impervious seal 96''
is formed between the pad 81 and the mouth 105 of the bottle 100,
which seal 96'' is considered an inner seal preventing the loss of
the beverage contained in the bottle 100 into the interior 15 of
the enclosure 10. Further, in the seated condition of the cap 12'',
the cuff 54 of the cap 12'' forms a fluid-impervious seal with the
container 11. This seal is considered an outer seal, and it
prevents any moisture in the interior 15 from exiting the interior
15 and also prevents any fluids outside of the enclosure 10 from
entering the interior 15. The enclosure 10 has this unique
double-seal construction which is formed when the cap 12'' is in
the seated condition on the container 11.
[0053] Once the enclosure 10 is sealed with the cap 12, 12', or
12'' (discussion herein with respect to the cap 12), the bottle 100
can be carried, tilted, or tipped without spilling the beverage
within the bottle 100 inside the enclosure 10. The cap 12 can be
removed to allow a person to drink from the bottle 100, simply by
unthreading the cap 12 from the container 11 and moving the cap 12
into the free condition thereof, exposing the mouth 105 of the
bottle 100 which is spaced above the lip 32 of the upper portion 13
of the container 11 by a distance T. The mouth 105 is also spaced
apart from the lip 32 of the upper portion 13 of the container 11
by an annular gap 98 encircling the mouth 105. This annular volume
64 is a gap between the mouth 105 of the bottle 100 and the lip 32
of the enclosure 10 which allows a person to place his or her lips
on the bottle itself. This can prevent spilling of the beverage
into the interior 15 or simply out of the bottle 100 altogether,
because a seal is formed between the mouth 105 of the bottle 100
and the person's lips. Alternatively, the person may place his or
her lips around the lip 32 of the enclosure 10 and drink from the
bottle 100.
[0054] Referring now to an alternative embodiment depicted in FIGS.
5A-19, a protective bottle enclosure 210 including a container 211
and a cap 212A, 212B is shown. Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B,
alternative caps 212A, 212B are depicted. The caps 212A, 212B
include similar functional characteristics, and differ with respect
to the orientation, cross section, and length of threading that is
included along the caps 212A, 212B. As will be discussed
hereinafter below, the cap 212A includes relatively less threading
therealong than the cap 212B of FIG. 5B. The cap 212A also includes
threading that is aligned in a uniform structure while the cap 212B
includes threads having varying dimensions. Still further, the cap
212A includes threading having a rectangular cross section, while
the cap 212B includes threading having a trapezoidal cross-section.
The amount of threading included along the caps 212A, 212B may be a
function of a desired seal, manufacturing considerations, or
material considerations. However, the caps 212A, 212B generally
operate in the same fashion, and allow a user to quickly seal the
protective bottle enclosure 210 with a single rotation of the caps
212A, 212B, or less than a single rotation.
[0055] Specifically referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, 6, and 7, the
container 211 and the cap 212A, 212B may be combined, or may exist
separately. As a result, the enclosure 210 includes distinct
components, i.e., the container 211 and the cap 212, which combine
to form the enclosure 210. As discussed with respect to the
enclosure 10, the enclosure 210 is useful for containing,
concealing, and insulating a bottle applied to the enclosure 210 in
such a way that a beverage from the bottle can be consumed while
the bottle is protected within the enclosure 210. The enclosure 210
includes the container 211 and the cap 212A, 212B, which is
removably applied to the container 211. Referring to FIGS. 5B and
5C, alternative configurations of the container 211 are depicted.
FIG. 5B illustrates the container 211 having neck threading that is
visible along an outer side of the neck, while FIG. 5C illustrates
the container 211 having neck threading that is only visible along
an inner side of the neck. As discussed below, alternative
configurations of the neck threading are contemplated and certain
aspects of the embodiments of FIGS. 5A-5C may be combined with one
another to form alternative variations of the enclosure 210 not
specifically addressed herein.
[0056] Still referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, 6, and 7, the container 211
is preferably constructed from a material or materials having
material characteristics of strength and rigidity, such as metal or
plastic. In some embodiments, the container 211 is a unitary
component that does not include a removable portion. The container
211 can be a two-piece unit having a main upper portion 213 and a
base 214 removably applied to the upper portion 213. The upper
portion 213 and base 214 cooperate to define a generally
cylindrical interior 215 which receives the beverage bottle that
the enclosure 210 protects. The upper portion 213 and base 214 can
be extruded or rolled from thin-walled aluminum or the like. The
upper portion 213 and base 214 combine to form an interior 215 of
the container 211.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 8, the upper portion 213 is formed from a
continuous thin sidewall 220 having opposed inner and outer
surfaces 221 and 222 which are parallel to each other and set just
slightly apart, defining a thickness of the sidewall 220. The upper
portion 213 of the container 211 defines a majority of the
container 211 and has a body 223 extending from a bottom 224 to a
shoulder 225 of the container 211. The shoulder 225 is an annular
narrowing of the container 211 which tapers from the body 223 to a
neck 230 of the container 211. The neck 230 extends upward to a
finish 231 which terminates in an annular lip 232. The body 223 of
the upper portion has a constant diameter from just above the
bottom 224 to the just below the shoulder 225. The neck 230 has a
diameter which is less than the diameter of the body 223, since the
shoulder 225 between the body 223 and the neck 230 tapers in
diameter between the two. The lip 232 flares outward slightly from
the diameter of the neck 230.
[0058] Referring again to FIGS. 5A-5C, slots or planar portions 233
are disposed along opposing sides of the neck 230, which allow the
cap 212 to be easily inserted into the neck 230 of the container
211. As further illustrated in the figures, the base 214 is
removable from the upper portion 213 so that a bottle may be
introduced into the interior 215 and carried therein. The base 214
has a flat bottom 234 and an upstanding, annular sidewall 235
extending upward from the bottom 234 and terminating in an open top
236. To releasably couple the base 214 to the upper portion 213, a
fastening assembly is carried between the upper portion 213 and the
base 214. At the bottom 224 of the body 223, the upper portion 213
of the container 211 has a reduced diameter and is formed with
external threads 240. Complemental internal threads 241 are carried
on the sidewall 235 of the base 214 (see FIG. 8). The two sets of
threads 240 and 241 (see FIG. 8) threadably engage the base 214 to
the upper portion 213 of the container 211 and allow the base 214
to be quickly and easily removed from the upper portion 213. By
aligning the threads 240 and 241 and rotating the base 214 with
respect to the upper portion 213 in a clockwise direction, the base
214 is secured to the upper portion 213.
[0059] Conversely, by rotating the base 214 in a counter-clockwise
direction with respect to the upper portion 213 and retracting the
base 214 away from the upper portion 213, the base 214 is removed
from the upper portion 213, and the bottom 224 of the upper portion
213 is open, defining an entrance available to apply a bottle
therethrough into the interior 215 of the container 211. One having
ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the relative
direction of the threads 240 and 241 may be reversed so that the
direction of rotation of the base 214 with respect to the upper
portion 213 would be correspondingly reversed to apply and remove
the base 214 from the upper portion 213. One having ordinary skill
in the art will also appreciate that another suitable fastening
mechanism may be used to removably engage the base 214 to the upper
portion 213.
[0060] Turning briefly to FIGS. 8 and 9, a bottle 300 has been
applied to the interior 215 of the container 211. The bottle 300 is
shown in ghost form, or in broken line, in FIGS. 8 and 9, which are
section views taken along the lines 8-8 and 9-9 of FIGS. 6 and 7,
respectively. The container 211 has rotational symmetry about a
vertical axis extending through the interior 215 along a geometric
center of the container 211. The bottle 300 is applied to the
enclosure 210, and has a body 301, a bottom 302, a shoulder 303,
and a long neck 304 terminating at a top 305 of the bottle 300 in
an open mouth 306. The mouth 306 of the bottle 300 has an internal
diameter. The bottle 300 has been, and is preferably, inserted into
the enclosure 210 with the mouth 305 open so that the cap 212 seals
the mouth 306 when the cap 212 is fully applied and seated to the
container 211. The neck 230 further includes internal threads 242,
which are interrupted along opposing sides by the planar portions
233.
[0061] Referring to FIGS. 10A, 11A, 12A, and 13A, the cap 212A is
shown in greater detail. The cap 212A defines a cylindrical
sidewall 243. A first or front threaded portion 244 extends
outwardly from the sidewall 243 and a second or rear threaded
portion 245 also extends outwardly from the sidewall 243. The first
and second threaded portions 244, 245 are preferably unitary with
the sidewall 243. The first and second threaded portions 244, 245
are also disposed along opposing sides of the cap 212A. As noted
above, the first and second threaded portions 244, 245 have
generally rectangular cross-sections. The cap 212A further includes
a first planar or uninterrupted portion 246 and a second planar or
uninterrupted portion 247, which are also disposed along opposing
sides of the cap 212A. In some configurations, the first and second
planar portions 246, 247 may be more accurately described as first
and second slots 246, 247, as discussed below with respect to the
cap 212B. The first and second threaded portions 244, 245 may be
identical, as disclosed in the figures, or the first and second
threaded portions 244, 245 may have threading that is offset from
one another. The first and second planar portions 246, 247 may be
entirely uninterrupted or may have portions that extend outwardly
from the sidewall 243. As will be discussed hereinafter below, the
first and second threaded portions 244, 245 and the uninterrupted
portions 246, 247 combine to allow for quick connection of the cap
212A with the container 211 since the threaded portions 244, 245
align with the slots or planar portions 233 of the neck 230.
[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 10B, 11B, 12B, and 13B, the cap 212B
is shown in greater detail. The cap 212B also defines the
cylindrical sidewall 243. The first or front threaded portion 244
extends outwardly from the sidewall 243 and the second or rear
threaded portion 245 also extends outwardly from the sidewall 243.
The first and second threaded portions 244, 245 are preferably
unitary with the sidewall 243, in a similar fashion as described
above with respect to the cap 212A. The first and second threaded
portions 244, 245 are also disposed along opposing sides of the cap
212B. The first and second threaded portions 244, 245 of the cap
212B extend along more of a perimeter of the sidewall 243 than the
threaded portions 244, 245 of the cap 212A, and are disposed in a
parallel configuration and slightly angled downward. Each of the
particular threads of the threaded portions 244, 245 includes a
beveled lead-in 248, which may aid in alignment of the cap 212B
with the container 211. In the present embodiment, the beveled
lead-in is trapezoidal shaped, which generally aligns with a
cross-section taken through one of the threads of the threaded
portions 244, 245. The sidewall 243 defines an outer perimeter, and
in some embodiments, the threaded portions 244, 245 separately
extend along 10% of the outer perimeter of the sidewall 243, or
along 20% of the outer perimeter of the sidewall 243, or along 30%
of the outer perimeter of the sidewall 243, or along 40% of the
outer perimeter of the sidewall 243, or 45% of the outer perimeter
of the sidewall 243.
[0063] Still referring to FIGS. 10B, 11B, 12B, and 13B, the cap
212B further includes the first planar or uninterrupted portion 246
and the second planar or uninterrupted portion 247, which are also
disposed along opposing sides of the cap 212B. The first and second
planar portions 246, 247 of the cap 212B may be referred to as
first and second slots 246, 247 due to the geometry of the first
and second threaded portions 244, 245 in the present embodiment.
The first and second threaded portions 244, 245 may be identical,
mirror images of one another, or may have threading that is offset
from one another. In the embodiment of 212B, the first and second
threaded portions 244, 245 are asymmetrical, and define a single
start spiral thread that is interrupted by the first and second
planar portions 246, 247. As a result, if the threaded portions
244, 245 were to be connected with one another, a single thread
would define a spiral shape along the sidewall 243 of the cap 212B.
As discussed above with respect to the cap 212A, the first and
second planar portions 246, 247 of the cap 212B may be entirely
uninterrupted or may have portions that extend outwardly or
inwardly from the sidewall 243. As will be discussed hereinafter
below, the first and second threaded portions 244, 245 and the
uninterrupted portions 246, 247 combine to allow for quick
connection of the cap 212B with the container 211 since the
threaded portions 244, 245 align with the slots 233 of the neck
230.
[0064] Referring to FIGS. 10A-13B, the caps 212A, 212B each include
a knob 250 formed with a tab or extension 251 providing a contact
surface to be gripped and rotated, and a collar 252 depending from
the knob 250 opposite the extension 251. For ease of description,
only a single cap 212 will be referenced hereinafter, which refers
to both the cap 212A and the cap 212B. The collar 252 is generally
defined by the sidewall 243 discussed above. The collar 252 is a
cylindrical sleeve, which extends downward from the knob 250 and
carries the first and second threaded portions 244, 245 and the
uninterrupted portions 246, 247. The threaded portions 244, 245
extend radially outward from the collar 252 along front and rear
sides of the cap 212. The threaded portions 244, 245 of the cap 212
threadably engage with the internal threads 242 formed in the neck
230 of the upper portion 213, so that the cap 212 is applied and
engaged to the upper portion 213 by aligning the threaded portions
244, 245 and the planar portions 233, inserting the cap 212 into
the neck 230, and rotating the cap 212 clockwise relative to the
upper portion 213. The cap 212 is retracted and disengaged from the
upper portion 213 by rotating the cap 212 counterclockwise relative
to the upper portion 213 until the threaded portions 244, 245 are
aligned with the planar portions 233 and the cap 212 is retracted
from the neck 230. The cap 212 has a cuff 254 disposed between the
extension 251 and the collar 252. The cuff 254 is a cylindrical
sidewall portion that extends outward farther than the collar 252
to provide a stop against the neck 230 when the cap 212 is fully
engaged therewith.
[0065] Still referring to FIGS. 10A-13B, the caps 212A, 212B may
have any of the sealing structures as described above with respect
to the caps 12-12.'' To apply the cap 212 to the container 211 with
the bottle 300 held in the container 211, the cap 212 is free of
the container 211 and is aligned with the neck 230 and finish 231
of the container 211 in a free condition of the cap 212. The
threaded portions 244, 245 on the cap 212 are directed downwardly
toward the planar portions 233 on the neck 230 of the container
211. The collar 252 of the cap 212 is then axially inserted into
the neck 230 such that the threaded portions 244, 245 are inserted
adjacent or along the planar portions 233 that are disposed along
or formed along the neck 230. Because of the absence of threading
along the planar portions 246, 247 of the cap 212, the internal
threading 242 along the neck 230 does not prevent the collar 252
from axial insertion into the neck 230 of the container 211.
[0066] Rather, the threaded portions 244, 245 form a lock and key
structure with the slots 233 that are disposed along opposing sides
of the neck 230, which allows the cap 212 to be inserted into the
neck 230 until a sealing structure comprising a stopper 260 (see
FIGS. 13A and 13B) that is disposed along an underside of the cap
212 becomes engaged with or physically contacts the top 305 of the
bottle 300. In some embodiments, there is no sealing structure
along the underside of the caps 212A, 212B. Once the cap 212 has
been fully inserted into the container 211, a bottom 263 of the
stopper 260 moves into the mouth 305 of the bottle 300. As
discussed above with respect to the cap 12, the bottom 263 of the
stopper 260 has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the
mouth 305, so that the mouth 305 begins to receive the stopper 260.
Once the cap 212 has been fully seated onto the mouth 305 of the
bottle 300, the cap 212 may be rotated between 10 degrees and 170
degrees in a clockwise direction to fully secure the cap 212 with
the container 211.
[0067] The cap 212, in a similar fashion as the caps 12, 12', and
12'' described above, seals the open bottle 300 and the container
211 when used as part of the enclosure 210. The bottle 300 is held
within the enclosure 210 by the cap 212 and by elastomeric padding
or forms within the container 211. In some embodiments, the
elastomeric padding need not be included. The elastomeric forms are
applied to the upper portion 213 and the base 214 to provide
insulation to the bottle 300, to provide impact protection to the
bottle 300, and to hold the bottle 300 securely, both while the
bottle 300 is enclosed by the enclosure 210 and while the bottle
300 is tipped and being drunk from.
[0068] Referring now to FIGS. 14-19, views are shown that depict
the cap 212A being removably applied to the container 211 to seal
the container 211. While FIGS. 14-19 depict the cap 212A being
inserted into the container, one of ordinary skill will appreciate
that the cap 212A could be replaced with the cap 212B, which
requires an alternative threading configuration along the cap 212
and the container 211. However, for ease of disclosure, only the
cap 212A is shown and discussed with respect to FIGS. 14-19.
[0069] As noted above, the neck 230 of the upper portion 213 of the
container 211 carries the internal threads 242, which are formed
integrally in the neck 230 and extend both inwardly and outwardly.
The threads 242 allow the cap 212A to be threadably engaged to the
container 211 to secure and release the cap 212 on the container.
However, the planar portions 233 that interrupt the threads 242
allow the threaded portions 244, 245 to be inserted, without axial
interruption, into the neck 230 of the container 211. As
illustrated with respect to the cap 212B, the planar portions 233
may be uninterrupted slots along the cap that are devoid of
threading, and may individually extend along 10% of an inner
perimeter of the neck 230, or around 20% of the inner perimeter of
the neck 230, or around 30% of the inner perimeter of the neck 230,
or around 40% of the inner perimeter of the neck 230, or around 45%
of the inner perimeter of the neck 230.
[0070] Before application of the cap 212A to the container, the
bottle 300 is inserted into the container 211 as described below.
As noted above with respect to the enclosure 10, the enclosure 210
is useful for protecting, insulating, and concealing the bottle 300
within the enclosure 210. To apply the bottle 300 to the enclosure
210, the base 214 is decoupled from the upper portion 213 by
rotating the base 214 relative to the upper portion 213 while
retracting the base 214 and then withdrawing the base 214 from the
upper portion 213, exposing the open bottom 224 of the upper
portion 213. The bottle 300 is held, such as by hand, and inserted
into the interior 215 with the mouth 305 of the bottle 300
introduced first into the interior 215. The bottle 300 is applied
to and inserted into the interior 215 until the mouth 305 of the
bottle 300 is disposed just below the lip 232 on the finish 231 of
the upper portion 213. As the bottle 300 is inserted into the
interior 215, the bottle 300 radially compresses the upper form 290
against the sidewall 220 of the upper portion 213. The bottle 300
is thus held in a friction fit arrangement by the upper form 290,
which limits vertical movement in and out of the upper form
213.
[0071] Once the bottle 300 is placed into the upper portion 213,
the base 214 is coupled to the upper portion 213. The base 214 is
aligned with the upper portion 213 and moved toward and over the
bottom 224 of the upper portion 213 while rotating the base 214
with respect to the upper portion 213 so as to threadably engage
the base 214 onto the upper portion 213. The base 214 is rotated
completely until the base 214 is firmly seated on the upper portion
213 and the top 236 of the base 214 is against the bottom 224 of
the upper portion 213, sealing the base 214 on the upper portion
213 and forming the container 211.
[0072] If, before coupling the base 214 to the upper portion 213,
the bottle 300 had not been fully applied to the upper portion 213,
then when the base 214 is seated to the upper portion 213, the base
214 will advance the bottle 300 further into the upper portion 213
to a preferred location in the interior 215. If the bottle 300 had
been applied too far into the interior 215, then application of the
cap 212A to the upper portion 213 will re-position the bottle 300
in the opposite direction. As discussed below, the cap 212A is
modified with respect to the cap 12 described above, such that a
user can insert the cap 212A axially into the neck 230 of the
container 211 until the bottle 300 prevents axial movement of the
cap 212A, and can rotate the cap 212A such that the threaded
portions 244, 245 engage with the internal neck threads 242 to
retain the cap 212A in a locked or secured configuration. The same
is true of the cap 212B, as noted above.
[0073] Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, a first state is depicted
wherein the cap 212A is ready to be inserted into the neck 230 of
the container 211. The cap 212A is positioned such that the first
and second threaded portions 244, 245 are aligned with the slots or
planar portions 233 along the neck 230. FIG. 14 depicts the
alignment of the threaded portion 244 with one of the slots 233,
while the cross-sectional view of FIG. 15 depicts the uninterrupted
portions 246, 247 being aligned with the internal threading 242 of
the neck 230. Once the first and second threaded portions 244, 245
are aligned with the slots 233, the cap 212A is inserted downward,
in the direction of arrow T. The bottle 300 is shown in broken
lines to provide context as to how the stopper 260 aligns with the
mouth 305 of the bottle 300.
[0074] Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, a second state is
depicted, wherein the cap 212 has been partially inserted into the
neck 230 of the container 211. The cap 212A remains in a
configuration where the threaded portions 244, 245 are aligned with
the slots 233 along the neck 230. FIG. 16 depicts the alignment of
the threaded portion 244 with one of the slots 233, while the
cross-sectional view of FIG. 17 depicts the uninterrupted portions
246, 247 being aligned with the internal threading 242 of the neck
230. As provided in FIG. 17, the sidewall 243 of the cap 212A is
capable of sliding past the internal threading 242 along the neck
230 of the container 211 without interference while the threaded
portions 244, 245 are slid within the slots 233. As noted above,
the cap 212A is inserted downward in the direction of arrow T until
the stopper 260 is aligned and in contact with the mouth 305 of the
bottle 300.
[0075] Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, a third state is depicted,
wherein the cap 212 has been fully seated on the bottle 300 and is
fully engaged with the container 211. In some embodiments, the cuff
254 of the cap 212 is not fully seated against the annular lip 232,
rather, once engagement with the bottle 300 has occurred, the cuff
254 of the cap 212 may be spaced from the lip 232. Regardless, once
axial movement of the cap 212A in the direction of arrow T has
ceased because of engagement between the mouth 305 of the bottle
300 and the stopper 260, the cap 212 is ready to be rotated
clockwise by a user to fully engage the cap 212 with the container
211 to secure the bottle 300 as further discussed below.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 18, the cap 212A is depicted fully seated
on the container 211 with the cap 212A having been rotated 90
degrees counterclockwise to engage the threaded portions 244, 245
with the internal threading 242 of the neck 230. FIG. 19 depicts a
cross-sectional view that illustrates the cap 212A in a fully
seated configuration, where the threaded portions 244, 245 are
threadably engaged with the internal threading 242 of the neck 230.
As noted above, once the stopper 260 is physically engaged with the
mouth 305 of the cap 212A, the caps 212A, 212B may be rotated
between 10 and 170 degrees, or between 25 and 155 degrees, or
between 40 and 140 degrees, or between 60 and 120 degrees, or 90
degrees to fully secure the caps 212A, 212B with the neck 230. In
some embodiments, the cap 212 may be rotated more than 180 degrees
to fully secure the cap 212 with the neck 230, however, due to the
configuration of the threading along the cap 212, in a preferred
embodiment the cap 212 need only be rotated less than 180 degrees
to secure the cap 212 with the neck 230. In some embodiments, the
cap 212A need only be turned 10 degrees to engage the cap 212A with
the container 211.
[0077] In this applied condition of the cap 212, the cap 212 forms
a fluid-permeable seal with the container 211. As the cap 212 is
still further threaded onto the container 211, however, the stopper
260 fills the entire mouth 305 of the bottle 300, and begins to be
compressed and constricted radially by the mouth 305. The stopper
260 may be similar to any of the stoppers described above with
respect to the caps 12, 12', and 12'', and need not be limited to
the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5-19. Once the enclosure 210 is
sealed with the cap 212, the bottle 300 can be carried, tilted, or
tipped without spilling the beverage within the bottle 300 inside
the enclosure 210. The cap 212 can be removed to allow a person to
drink from the bottle 300, simply by unthreading the cap 212 from
the container 211 and moving the cap 212 into the free condition
thereof, exposing the mouth 305 of the bottle 300 that is spaced
above the lip 232 of the upper portion 213 of the container
211.
[0078] The present disclosure is described above with reference to
several embodiments. However, those having ordinary skill in the
art will appreciate that changes and modifications may be made in
the described embodiments without departing from the nature and
scope of the present disclosure. Various further changes and
modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of
illustration will readily occur to one having ordinary skill in the
art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not
depart from the principle of the disclosure, they are intended to
be included within the scope thereof.
* * * * *